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More Info Union Membership Benefits Non-Union Dues |
Here's why it pays to join the union:
Better Wages
Through collective bargaining, unions have helped raise the
standard of living for millions of American workers. There
is a distinct economic advantage in belonging to a union and
working under a union contract:
- Figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show the typical union worker's pay and benefits are 33% higher than what non-union workers get.
- In 2000, union carpenters averaged $20.45 an hour base pay. Nonunion? $13.51. Union drywallers averaged $17.93 an hour in 2000. Nonunion? $12.19.
- Wages and salaries for union workers average 16% higher than for nonunion workers.
Don't you think your family deserves more economic security and better pay for your hard work?
Better Pensions
Union representation means that you are more likely to be
able to retire with security and dignity. Overall, 90% of
full-time union workers participate in at least one
retirement plan, compared to only 74% of non-represented
workers. Union workers are far more likely to participate in
traditional defined benefit plans – 86% for union members
versus only 50% for non-union workers. Such plans are almost
always financed entirely by the employer, and your
retirement benefits are guaranteed by the federal
government.
The graph pictured here shows the union advantage in retirement security. Among union workers, 81% have defined benefit pension plans that are wholly financed by the employer. In non-union work sites, only 48% of workers have defined benefit retirement plans financed by employers.
Better Health Care
Unions have pioneered the provision of health care as an
employee benefit. Virtually all union contracts provide
health care coverage, often paid for entirely by the
employer.
Sadly, there are nearly 40 million Americans who have no health insurance. Most of these are children of employed workers, including those workers who serve our food in restaurants and take care of us in hospitals.
Among union workers, 52% have family medical coverage that is wholly paid by the employer. In non-union work places, only 18% have such coverage. Similarly, with dental care, union members have a significant advantage. In union work sites, 49% of workers have family dental coverage that is financed wholly by the employer. Among non-union workers, only 19% have employer paid dental coverage.
Better Sickness & Accident Benefits
Sickness and accident benefits provide needed income to
working families in the event of non-work related sickness
and injury. Among union workers, 71% have sickness and
accident insurance; in non-union work sites only 36% receive
economic security during times of illness and injury.
A Right to Health & Safety on the Job
Work can be hazardous to your health. Far too many American
workers are killed, injured and exposed to diseases on the
job. Working under a union contract can improve your ability
to monitor your work environment and ensure that health and
safety concerns are addressed.
A Voice at Work the Boss Can't Ignore
Belonging to a union gives you rights under federal law that
you don't have as an individual. Union representation
provides you with the tools you need to deal with your
employer from a position of strength. Belonging to a union
allows you to establish a written agreement that specifies
the terms of your employment. Once you have formed a union,
your employer is required by law to bargain with you over
your wages, hours and working conditions.
Without union representation, which opens the door to the power of collective bargaining, an individual worker has no voice in his or her employment and is subject to arbitrary decisions made by the employer. With union representation, you have a voice in your future.
Job Security
In a time of high unemployment and uncertain economic
conditions, the right to retain your job is critical to you
and your family. It is important to know that you can't be
fired without just cause or laid off to make room for the
boss' favorite nephew.
Most union contracts establish strict rules about job security and the conditions under which layoffs or reductions in the work force take place. This makes sure that everyone is treated fairly, and that no one is discriminated against for speaking their mind on the job or enforcing the terms of the contract.
Without the protection of a union contract, you are at the mercy of the employer. You have the ability to change that; you have the power (and the LEGAL right) if you act collectively.
Click to find out more:
- Union Membership Benefits
It's worth being a member! - Non-Union Dues
Non-union workers pay dues too. They just don't know it.